Sign up for Globe sports news alerts.

The Patriots’ kickoff game against the Chiefs is just a week away. Their Blitz for Six begins now.

But first, one last pesky preseason game to get out of the way.

The Patriots will host the Giants in the final preseason tuneup Thursday night at Gillette Stadium. It won’t be high-scoring, action-packed or all that exciting. Most of the players you know and love will be sitting on the sideline — especially after Julian Edelman suffered a season-ending knee injury in last week’s game.

But it is an important game for the 40-50 players battling for roster spots. It’s one last chance to impress the coaching staff before Saturday’s big roster cutdown from 90 players to 53.

So here is a look at what we’ll be watching for on Thursday night:

1. Who sits and who plays?

The NFL changed its rule this year to eliminate the round of roster cuts from 90 to 75 players, which always took place before the fourth preseason game. The rule was made mostly because teams like to sit their starters in this final game, but having only 75 players on the roster necessitated that some of them play. Now with 15 extra players at his disposal, Bill Belichick can sit anyone he wants to keep out of harm’s way.

And for most of the players that do play, it will be a glaring sign that they are on the roster bubble. We say “most,’’ because a few guys coming back from injury — such as Dont’a Hightower, Nate Solder, and Mike Gillislee — might get a little work to get ready. And someone has to carry the football; we’re looking at D.J. Foster, who should make the team, and Brandon Bolden, who is on the bubble.

Most notably, we’ll be watching for veteran linebacker David Harris. He was presumed to be in line for a starting role when the Patriots signed him this offseason, but the 11-year veteran has looked slow in the preseason, and could be viewed as a progress-stopper for young linebackers Elandon Roberts and Kyle Van Noy. If he plays a decent amount, it probably isn’t a good sign.

This game also could be a last chance for several young players. Cornerback Cyrus Jones looks like a decent bet for the roster, safety Jordan Richards looks iffy, and defensive end Geneo Grissom looks to be on the outside looking in.

2. Jacoby Brissett showcase.

It’s looking more and more likely that Brissett, last year’s third-round pick, won’t make it to the 53-man roster. He has had an inconsistent camp, barely got any reps during the joint practices, failed to capitalize in the two-minute offense at the end of both of his preseason appearances, and sat out the third preseason game entirely.

But with Tom Brady sitting, this game could be a good chance for Brissett to get a decent amount of work and showcase his talents to the rest of the league. Then again, if the Patriots hope to trade instead of release Brissett, keeping him off the field might be the way to go, too.

3. Slot receiver Austin Carr.

In the NFL, someone’s injury is someone else’s opportunity. And for Carr, the undrafted slot receiver from Northwestern, Edelman’s season-ending knee injury is his big opportunity.

Carr has had a nice preseason, and has shown up on the stat sheet in all three games: 5 catches for 44 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville, 3 catches for 31 yards against Houston, and 3 catches for 30 yards against Detroit.

Carr offers good size for a slot receiver at 6 feet 1 inch, and has great hands and football intelligence. But he’s battling Foster and Bolden for a roster spot, along with the dozens of receivers who will be released by other teams this weekend.

Carr looks like a good bet for at least the practice squad, and probably needs a big performance Thursday night to help his chances of making the 53.

4. Position battles.

The Patriots still have a few position battles open, though each one appears to have a clear favorite.

Veterans Cam Fleming and LaAdrian Waddle are fighting to be the No. 3 tackle, and though Fleming has not had a great preseason, he has played significantly more snaps than Waddle, particularly with the first team.

Ted Karras and rookie James Ferentz appear to be battling for the backup guard/center spot, and though Karras showed versatility last year, Ferentz is a smart player and the son of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, which has to carry weight with Belichick.

James O’Shaughnessy looks like a good bet to be the No. 3 tight end, though Jacob Hollister will have a say in it. But it’s not a lock that the Patriots will keep three tight ends.

And the linebacker spot still looks wide open, with Jonathan Freeny and Trevor Bates battling newcomer Marquis Flowers for a roster spot.

5. Cyrus Jones’s punt returns.

Jones’s position on the Patriots probably got more secure with the Edelman injury, because the team needs his punt-return skills now more than ever. We all know he was terrible last year, making several bad decisions and fumbling five times, but he has looked improved this preseason.

Jones has worked on fielding punts every day in practice, and he has made mostly good decisions the last two weeks. Belichick even praised Jones after the Houston game, when he had four punt returns for 58 yards, including a 32-yarder.

Jones might be the main punt returner this season (though Danny Amendola, Foster, and maybe Brandin Cooks should factor in as well), so we want to see him have a nice, drama-free game handling punts.

Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @BenVolin